The Official 2008 Green Bay Packers Thread

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Last year, I predicted the Packers were one year out from being a force, and to say I was pleasantly surprised is an understatement. All things considered and with where the Packers were projected to finish the season, its hard to be dissapoointed even though the Conference Final loss was a heartbreaker.

That being said, all the Favre talk aside...I am really looking forward to the season. Obviously, winning your division pins you up against the other division winners of the NFC but I am uber-excited after seeing our schedule. TBH, it looks much easier than last years did, and hopefully the Packers will only be better with the experience they gained last year.

Obviously, this Jolly incident has me a little worried since Thompson made moves assuming Jolly wouldn't be busted for drugs. On top of that, how Rodgers will handle his first year in the spotlight behind arguably the greatest quarterback of all time will be the big question marks this season.

Lets flip the coin, kick off and get started!

GO PACK GO!

[Packer487 3]

Things are gonna start getting REALLY interesting! Favre's letter asking for reinstatement is in! I still say they should give Rodgers a really nice extension (or throw him a bonus) to do good by him since he hasn't had a chance to hit his escalators. Then start Favre.

I'm geeked for this season. I think Rodgers would do just fine as long as he stays in the lineup. It really scares me that they'll dump Favre, Rodgers will get hurt and then we'll either be starting Brohm or Culpepper.

Our schedule is really tough (IMO) before the bye week and then not bad at all after that. They've got three really tough games in their first four home tilts (Minnesota, Dallas, Indy).

The DL concerns me as well. Jolly could be facing a suspension (dumbass), Harrell was talking about possibly needing another surgery and ending up on IR (super), Pickett is already hurt, and we traded Williams. They've got some options (like moving Jenkins back inside) if they really need help at DT, but it's still a concern.

The battle I'm most looking forward to in camp (assuming we don't see Favre vs. Rodgers):

Barbre vs. Colledge at LG -- they've been hyping the hell out of Barbre. I'd love to see someone step up and solidify that position.

I also look forward to seeing if Rouse can push either of the safeties, if Williams is truly a future starter at corner (he should be the clear-cut nickel this year if he is), and if all the hype Jackson has gotten in the offseason is legit.

Other stuff I want to see:

Will Jennings take another step toward becoming an elite WR? Will Grant prove last year wasn't a fluke? Will Jon Ryan become consistent? Do we have a dime back? Will they find a way to put Hawk in a position to make more plays? Will Supertoe miss a kick this year?

Gotta get Grant signed quickly. If he holds out too long, Jackson better be ready because we all remember what tends to happen when RBs hold out ::cough::DorseyLevens::cough::

Nice to see you back around these parts, Mac!

BTW, if you're one of the anti-Favrites, don't burn those retirement newspapers, kay? I do still want to find a way to get them from you

[timothy1997 0]

I think a lot of Packer fans are underestimating how much #4 means to the Packers. I hear things like "we are still good with Rodgers" and "Rodgers is the best qb in the NFC North". Rodgers is still very much unproven. He has the tools to be a good qb but so did Joey Harrington. Just because you are drafted high and have a lot of talent, doesnt equal success.

I think ultimately the Packers will finish 2nd....maybe even 3rd or tied with the Bears. The only team I figure in the Packers finishing ahead of is Detroit. No playoff appearance by the Pack.

Minnesota

Green Bay

Chicago

Detroit

[Packer487 3]

I think ultimately the Packers will finish 2nd....maybe even 3rd or tied with the Bears. The only team I figure in the Packers finishing ahead of is Detroit. No playoff appearance by the Pack.

Minnesota

Green Bay

Chicago

Detroit

I think the Lions have a much better shot at finishing ahead of Green Bay than Chicago does. The Bears still have no QB, a very questionable running game, no WRs, and their best players on defense are really injury prone.

I'm not ready to make a prediction on the finishing order because I want to see how the QB and DT situation in Green Bay shakes out first (and clearly if Favre does find a way to finagle his release, which I don't expect, then Minnesota is the clear-cut favorite to win the conference, let alone the division). At this point, I see the Packers and Vikings first and second (in some order), then the Lions, then the Bears.

[timothy1997 0]

I think the Lions have a much better shot at finishing ahead of Green Bay than Chicago does. The Bears still have no QB, a very questionable running game, no WRs, and their best players on defense are really injury prone.

I'm not ready to make a prediction on the finishing order because I want to see how the QB and DT situation in Green Bay shakes out first (and clearly if Favre does find a way to finagle his release, which I don't expect, then Minnesota is the clear-cut favorite to win the conference, let alone the division). At this point, I see the Packers and Vikings first and second (in some order), then the Lions, then the Bears.

The lions will finish last because they are the lions.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Packer487:

In regards to coming around these parts, I just don't visit the Water Cooler or the Other Sports section much anymore. TBH, I really come to this site for my love of hockey and the Wings, but with the Packers season starting back up and the conversations you, timothy1997 and I had in the 2007 thread, I'll make sure to post in here a little more often.

Sidenote: I'm heading to Packers Family Night this Sunday at Lambeau Field and I'll let you know my impressions on Monday.

BTW, if you're one of the anti-Favrites, don't burn those retirement newspapers, kay? I do still want to find a way to get them from you

Don't worry, I've still got 'em. The funny part is that when this whole come-out-of-retirement saga began I found myself on the Packers Management's side, but as its progressing even into this morning, I find myself more and more in Favre's corner and really disappointed in the Packers Management. To think, my taxes were being offered to keep the greatest QB ever to play the game to stay away from the team he brought a championship to even after he proved last season that he's still got it. What a joke.

BTW, yes I still have your Newspapers. Let me know when/if you make it up to GB and we'll grab a beer and talk football.

[Packer487 3]

Don't worry, I've still got 'em. The funny part is that when this whole come-out-of-retirement saga began I found myself on the Packers Management's side, but as its progressing even into this morning, I find myself more and more in Favre's corner and really disappointed in the Packers Management. To think, my taxes were being offered to keep the greatest QB ever to play the game to stay away from the team he brought a championship to even after he proved last season that he's still got it. What a joke.

BTW, yes I still have your Newspapers. Let me know when/if you make it up to GB and we'll grab a beer and talk football.

I think that's how a lot of people have been. When the (completely unscientific) polls were going right after he announced his intention to return, it was like just under 50% of people that wanted him back (which shocked me). Now the polls the JSO is running, it's more like 70-80%.

I'm completely disgusted by Ted Thompson with how he's handled this. I'm happy to hear that the $20 million offer appears to be less of a bribe and more of a commitment toward a long post-football relationship, but the timing of it is really iffy (even if they had been discussing it for awhile).

I'll definitely make it up to Green Bay this year. I didn't get to attend a game last year so I'm "getting the itch".

It just seems really stupid to me that arguably the greatest QB ever, who is coming off a near-MVP season, wants to come back and play and the Packers are like "Uhh...I think we're going to go with Aaron Rodgers." Stupid. And what happens if Rodgers gets hurt in Week 3? 5-11 happens.

[timothy1997 0]

Why is it so hard for TT and the packers organization to say to Rodgers "s*** HAPPENS" and give the job back to #4. Yeah, #12 is gonna be pissed and probably will request a trade to the Jets, but isnt that a helluva lot better than letting #4 go to the Vikes.

There are more #12's out there than #4's.

[Packer487 3]

Why is it so hard for TT and the packers organization to say to Rodgers "s*** HAPPENS" and give the job back to #4. Yeah, #12 is gonna be pissed and probably will request a trade to the Jets, but isnt that a helluva lot better than letting #4 go to the Vikes.

There are more #12's out there than #4's.

They wouldn't even have to be that crass about it. Take that $20 million you want to pay Favre off with and give $10 million to AR as a nice bonus and extend his contract another couple years. You make it pretty clear you think he's a very good QB and you want to pay him like one, but you tell him, "Favre is the best thing to happen to our organization in 40 years. We can't turn him down." Unless he's a fool, Rodgers would understand. Would he be disappointed? I'm sure. I wouldn't want him on the team if he wasn't disappointed about not playing. But he's smart enough to realize "I'm Aaron Rodgers, he's Brett Favre."

And really, he's probably not wasting that much of his career by sitting the bench. He's not getting hit, so his body will probably hold up a couple years longer at the end of his career.

[timothy1997 0]

They wouldn't even have to be that crass about it. Take that $20 million you want to pay Favre off with and give $10 million to AR as a nice bonus and extend his contract another couple years. You make it pretty clear you think he's a very good QB and you want to pay him like one, but you tell him, "Favre is the best thing to happen to our organization in 40 years. We can't turn him down." Unless he's a fool, Rodgers would understand. Would he be disappointed? I'm sure. I wouldn't want him on the team if he wasn't disappointed about not playing. But he's smart enough to realize "I'm Aaron Rodgers, he's Brett Favre."

And really, he's probably not wasting that much of his career by sitting the bench. He's not getting hit, so his body will probably hold up a couple years longer at the end of his career.

I think #12 wants to play, thats it. I think he would turn down a contract extension in order to play.

SO WHAT!!!!

You guys got Brohm. Get rid of #12, put Brohm into the the "QB of the future" role. Either way what the Packers brass is doing now, is disrespectful. $20 million to go away is absurd.

You know what no one is talking about as much as they should?? Ryan Grant's holdout. The Pack still dont have a running game without Grant. They need Grant more than Grant needs the Pack.

Edited August 1, 2008 by timothy1997

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I think #12 wants to play, thats it. I think he would turn down a contract extension in order to play.

SO WHAT!!!!

You guys got Brohm. Get rid of #12, put Brohm into the the "QB of the future" role. Either way what the Packers brass is doing now, is disrespectful. $20 million to go away is absurd.

You know what no one is talking about as much as they should?? Ryan Grant's holdout. The Pack still dont have a running game without Grant. They need Grant more than Grant needs the Pack.

A little late in posting this but, done & done! 4 years, $18 million.

[timothy1997 0]

A little late in posting this but, done & done! 4 years, $18 million.

yup. now the Pack just need a QB.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

yup. now the Pack just need a QB.

Well, the funny part is the Packers *still* have the best QB in the NFC North.

[timothy1997 0]

Well, the funny part is the Packers *still* have the best QB in the NFC North.

nah. Kitna is. Rodgers hasnt done jack.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

nah. Kitna is. Rodgers hasnt done jack.

And what exactly has "the wonder that is Kitna" done?

In all seriousness.

[Packer487 3]

nah. Kitna is. Rodgers hasnt done jack.

We know Kitna, Jackson, Orton and Grossman suck. We don't know if Rodgers sucks

[mannysBETTER3434 1]

Why is it so hard for TT and the packers organization to say to Rodgers "s*** HAPPENS" and give the job back to #4. Yeah, #12 is gonna be pissed and probably will request a trade to the Jets, but isnt that a helluva lot better than letting #4 go to the Vikes.

There are more #12's out there than #4's.

Can you call them by their names for goodness sake?

Also I'll take a unproven Rogers over Kitna any day.

Edited August 8, 2008 by mannysBETTER3434

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I'll be at the Preseason Opener Tonight against the Bengals. Even though the game matters for naught you still gotta love MNF!

[Packer487 3]

I'll be at the Preseason Opener Tonight against the Bengals. Even though the game matters for naught you still gotta love MNF!

NFM attending MNF!

I'm really excited to see Josh Sitton play. If he really can hold down the right guard position, then they can move Spitz to left guard and our line will be a LOT better off. It'd be nice for the LG position to finally be sured up.

There have been reports that Ruvell Martin has had a great camp as well. Not shocking since he's had so much work with Rodgers in the past. I still wish he caught that ball in the first half against the NYG....Jordy Nelson has been pretty quiet. I'd like to see something out of him as well.

And most importantly, NO INJURIES! Especially to the defensive line or our china doll at QB.

Just ordered my J-E-T-S! Brett Brett Brett! jersey. I gotta say, this worked out pretty nicely from a fan-bigamy perspective. The Jets doing well only helps Green Bay (draft pick), their success doesn't affect our playoff chances, and there's no shot they could meet up until the Super Bowl. Plus I get to root for Dave Harris and Kerry Rhodes, which is fun too.

Edited August 11, 2008 by Packer487

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

The first offense and defense looked great. Obviously you can't tell too much from the first quarter of the teams' first preseason game but both sides of the ball looked solid.

Brohm needs to settle down and quick. If he's going to be the Packers second string QB he needs to learn to not lead his receivers into dangerous areas. I'll chalk this first appearance up to nerves, but hopefully Brohm will be better on Saturday at determining when its ok to throw to an open receiver and when its not. If not, our receiving core is going to be uber-banged up for the season opener.

NFM attending MNF!

Just ordered my J-E-T-S! Brett Brett Brett! jersey.

[Packer487 3]

I wish there was a way that I could delete that game from my DVR twice!

-The plusses for Rodgers: His numbers (and the offense as a whole) look much better if DD helps him out on that bomb and if Lee doesn't drop that touchdown pass. Both passes were right on the money. Those guys usually catch 'em and if they do, we're up 14-0 instead of 3-0 when the starters came out.

The minuses: He holds onto the ball way too long and at times he was pulling it down a little too fast. The should-have-been-a-pick pass was a really bad throw.

-It was against scrubs, but Jordy Nelson on returns is really nice. It's awesome to have some depth in the return game. Blackmon, Williams and Nelson are all really solid back there. He should have to do some pushups for getting knocked out by the kicker twice.

-What a hit by Pat Lee! Methinks Foster had some words for O'Sullivan after that throw.

-We have no backup QB and no backup OTs. Brohm doesn't look like he's anywhere near ready to be an NFL backup. And it's nice to see (not really) that Colledge is as bad at tackle as he is at guard. He about got Matt Flynn killed by whiffing. If Rodgers, Tauscher, or Clifton go down, this season is gonna get ugly in a hurry.

-Jarrett Bush should be cut tomorrow. At least 2 long pass plays, a 15 yarder on special teams for blocking someone out of bounds, a block in the back that negated a nice return (and a great lateral that even fooled the ref), and a pass interference penalty in the endzone on third down when he rode the WR the entire way. It's pretty pathetic that the 49ers scrubs were looking to pick on him. Get Pat Lee some more reps.

-The starting defense looked strong. I wish we would get to the QB a little bit more, but until most of the starters came out, they were really good.

-Supertoe is awesome. That kid is just nails.

-Nothing has changed with McCarthy. Just didn't show any inclination to attempt to run the football. That ain't gonna work this year. Our quarterbacks combined have as many NFL starts as me. I wanted to see BJack run a few times.

-Woodson was strong. Great pass breakup and an easy INT. He'll be getting crap from his teammates about that fumble though.

-Great screen pass on a third down to Morency. I'm a firm believer that there's no prettier play in football than a well-executed screen pass. We used to be so good at it but it hasn't made as many appearances in the past couple of years. I'd love to see it come back.

-Nice to see McCarthy is in mid-season form at failing on challenges!

It was so weird seeing Brett in another jersey tonight. I'm behind Aaron 100%--every eye roll will be directed at Ted Thompson, not the young QB who is learning every time he's out there--but I think this is going to end up being considered one of the worst personnel moves in history. Then again, by all accounts he was pretty great last week and I didn't see that game....maybe I'd be feeling better about things.

[timothy1997 0]

Obviously the pressure to succed is on Rodgers a ton. Question tho, who has replaced a legend and actually done well? Steve Young is the only one that comes to mind. Montana was injuried and Young filled in nicely, it wasn't a complete gamble like the Pack are doing with Rodgers. What does Rodgers have to do in order for the Packer fans?? Win the Super Bowl???

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I'll be at the game tonight!

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Great start to the season and to Rodgers' career! It's never too early to start beating the Vikings in your career.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

nah. Kitna is. Rodgers hasnt done jack.

You sure you wanna stick by this comment?

Rodgers is *clearly* the best QB in the NFC North.